Population: 3,486 [2013 Census]Location: 25 mins west of Christchurch on State Highway 73

Kirwee, named by retired British army officer Colonel De Renzie Brett, after a town in India, is a small township straddling the road and railway west from Christchurch.

Having observed water races in India, Colonel Brett was instrumental in designing the system which still carries water from the foothills to people and stock across the Canterbury Plains.

Nowadays, although Kirwee is one of the fastest growing townships in Malvern, it still prides itself on retaining its small-town character with active sports clubs, a very successful musical society and an annual A & P show.